5 Things You Need to Look For In a Merchant Services Agent Program

Whether you’re an experienced merchant services reseller or an entrepreneurial salesperson eager to run your own business, finding the best Merchant Services Agent Program is central to your success.

Agent programs, offered by providers like Electronic Merchant Systems (EMS), make it possible for professionals (like you) to sell payment processing and merchant services to businesses—with the potential to make long-term residual profit. As a merchant reseller, you make it possible for businesses to process payments and manage transactions.

Here are five things you should consider before choosing a Merchant Services Agent Program:

Contracts. Read every contract thoroughly. When you compare programs, you need to consider the language of the agent agreement and Schedule A. You should fully understand the residual split, your anticipated monthly income, and details regarding lifetime residuals. After all, you should be able to grow your business on your own terms.

Transparency. If you can’t understand the contract, the provider lacks much-needed transparency. You cannot excel as a merchant services reseller if you do not understand the commission structure and how to optimize your business. Search for programs that clearly define program details and back up their claims with evidence.

Dedicated Support Staff. The last thing you want is an unsatisfied merchant—through no fault of your own. You need to find an agent program with a team that is trained to educate merchants and answer their questions. You don’t want your customer care efforts diminished by a careless provider.

Card-Not-Present Options. While most processors offer card-present services (i.e. point-of-sale equipment for use in retail environments), you want a program that also provides card-not-present options. Always ensure that your tools match the changing needs of merchants. Check that the provider supports payment gateway technology that complements a variety of selling processes (e.g. browser-based payment solutions).

Commission Structure. As an ISO Agent, you need to understand your commission structure. You should receive residuals for the lifetime of the merchant account. At EMS, we do not require performance minimums. Here are three great questions to ask before joining an agent program:

What is the cost structure and residual split?

Do the residuals depend on future performance?

What is the transaction fee cost?

Your success as a merchant services reseller largely depends on the agent program you join. If you want to benefit from a provider with a 4.7 rating—with more than 500 reviews—check out the EMS Agent Program.

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Electronic Merchant Systems is a leading provider of payment processing & merchant services. For more information please visit our website.